Peter's Very Merry 10th Birthday PTR - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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The original plan was that David, the kids, the grandparents and I would head to Florida on December 19th and that DBIL Robert would join us for Christmas weekend. In mid-September, we learned that Robert would actually be joining us late in the day on December 21st (Peter’s birthday). Great news!
Well, except that all of our ADRs before Christmas Eve were for 8 people instead of 9...
I called Disney Dining to see what we could do. We actually had no trouble changing most of the ADRs from 8 to 9 people, with only 2 hiccups. First, Teppan Edo wasn’t available on the 21st until 8:40 (our existing ADR was at 8:00). I did not want to wait that long for dinner because I wanted to avoid any child (or adult, for that matter) meltdowns on Peter’s birthday. So, I told the CM I would keep checking back on that one.
Second, the CP dinner package at Garden Grill was full and I could not add a 9th person to our ADR. The CM told me that there was availability at Biergarten and Coral Reef that night. I decided to wait and discuss with the family.
Ultimately, we decided the best plan would be for Tom, Linda and Robert to get a CP package at a different restaurant and for my parents to eat at Garden Grill with us. A week later, I called back to book Coral Reef, but it was sold out for the CP dining package. However, Restaurant Marrakesh was available, but so was a 5:40 ADR at Garden Grill (our original ADR was at 5:15) for 3 people. Since Garden Grill is so hard to snag, I went ahead and took that. The CM told me that we could all arrive in time for the 5:15 ADR and see if they could accommodate all 9 of us, even if it had to be at separate tables.
A few days later, Robert came to Houston to stay with us for the weekend. We talked to him about it, and he was not at all jazzed about a character meal (do I dare mention to him that Tusker House and Ohana will also be character dining? ). He thought Morrocco sounded good, so I called back and got a CP dinner package at Restaurant Marrakesh for him and my ILs at 5:40 p.m. We’ll all see the 8:15 CP showing with Susan Lucci that night.
He also opted out of the Pirate & Pals Fireworks Voyage, and so he’ll plan to spend that evening exploring on his own. While I think the kids would enjoy having him on the pirate cruise, I know he wants to spend some time doing his own thing, and this seems like a good time to do it since we’ll want to be together as a family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Now there’s not much left to do but wait. Tick-tock, tick-tock....
I'm glad you got everything sorted out. A trip wouldn't be complete without changing plans! That's why we start planning months and months in advance right?
I'm glad you got everything sorted out. A trip wouldn't be complete without changing plans! That's why we start planning months and months in advance right?
Exactly right! When DBIL was visiting in September and I mentioned that I had made the dining reservations 3 months before, he was incredulous.
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Originally Posted by chezp
Glad you were able to sort out the ADRs!
Thanks! I was worried that I was going to have to completely rearrange things, but it turned out ok.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great rearranging of plans!
Thanks! I'm happy it all worked out, though I'm still looking to add one more to that Teppan Edo ADR and that restaurant is now showing as cmopletely full for dinner that night.
Congrats on getting everything sorted . . . honestly, I would just show up with the extra person at Teppan Edo--Disney is almost always able to handle a change in numbers--especially since it's only 1 more.
Glad you were able to get the CP dining package worked out! That was one thing I'm sorry that I missed out on back in '09. I took youngest DD, who was 4 at the time, and I just didn't know if she would sit through it.
So glad your plans have all come together well. It is not an easy task to plan so much for so many people and, at the same time, make everyone happy. But, you seem to have gotten it all done!
Thanks! I've probably called Disney Dining 5 times in the last 6 months and made them go over everything on the phone with me again just to make sure nothing has fallen through the cracks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Glad you were able to rearrange some plans!
Thankfully it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneycruising
Sounds like you have some great plans for your trip!
I had the same experience on the phone when I made ADR's for our Dec trip & CLP package. :roll eyes:
Hope everyone has a wonderful trip.
Thank you! Just 7 days to go....
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Congrats on getting everything sorted . . . honestly, I would just show up with the extra person at Teppan Edo--Disney is almost always able to handle a change in numbers--especially since it's only 1 more.
That is my plan (we may try to stop by earlier in the day to see what they can do for us).
Quote:
Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
Glad you were able to get the CP dining package worked out! That was one thing I'm sorry that I missed out on back in '09. I took youngest DD, who was 4 at the time, and I just didn't know if she would sit through it.
Yes, I'd be worried about that too if my kids were younger. Heck, let's be honest, I have 2 boys. I should probably be worried about that now!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mimidodaplgo
So glad your plans have all come together well. It is not an easy task to plan so much for so many people and, at the same time, make everyone happy. But, you seem to have gotten it all done!
Thanks! This is my first time ever planning a trip for more than just the 4 of us, and it has definitely been a different experience! I just hope everyone has a good time.
With 140 days (20 weeks) to go until our trip, I decided to spread some of the excitement to the grandparents. In addition to Harry Potter, I was also reading a book called The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World at the time. It gave me the idea to email our parents each week with little-known tidbits about Disney World. I’m certain that they must have thought I was , but they claim to have enjoyed the emails.
In October, I finally sat down to research ticket prices for Universal IOA. The Undercover Tourst prices through Mousesavers was the best I could find, so I went ahead and ordered those. I also booked van transportation between Disney and Universal through Quicksilver Tours. It was very affordable in comparison to renting a car or even some other shuttle services I looked at.
My parents decided to forgo WWOHP since they haven’t read the books or seen the movies. Instead, they’ll get to spend a day all on their own at Disney (and if I know them, it will most likely be at Epcot!). Robert won’t be in town yet, so it will just be David, me, the kids and my in-laws. I’m not looking forward to what I anticipate to be heavy crowds. We tried to persuade the children to put this off until another visit, but they are really excited about going this time, so we will press on with determination and good cheer!
In early November, I ordered our Tables in Wonderland card using our AP discount. This will be our first time using the TiW card, but it seemed to be a better option for us than the dining plan this time around.
Over the last few weeks, I have taken care of a bunch of details and finalized plans...
I ordered an in-room celebration for Peter’s birthday. I did this for David at DLR this summer for his 40th birthday. I had hoped to have it delivered on his birthday, which was a couple of days after we arrived. Disney Floral & Gifts in California told me that once we took possession of the room, they were not permitted to enter, so the whole birthday surprise was waiting for us when we checked in.
But apparently they do it differently in Florida. The CM I spoke to told me they put up the in-room celebration on the first FULL day of our stay, which is the day after we arrive. As it turns out, this is perfect! They’ll decorate our room on the evening of the 20th while we’re out to dinner, and Peter’s birthday is the next day, so it will, in fact, be a great birthday surprise!
I gathered everyone’s grocery requests and placed an order with Garden Grocer. One of the things we always eat on Christmas morning is a Sara Lee Butter Streusel coffee cake. The children said it just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without the coffee cake, so I had to put in a special request at Garden Grocer, since that wasn’t listed on their website. They called me a few days later to tell me they would be able to get it and to take my payment information. Even though we’ll have a late breakfast at Tusker House, we’ll go ahead and make the coffee cake at the villa that morning also.
I have put a vacation hold on our mail, pre-ordered the Photopass CD and arranged for DME, which was a feat all on its own. We are arriving on 3 different flights and departing on 4 different flights, plus Robert is arriving 2 days later than everyone else. I spent 30 minutes on the phone with Member Services. I hope it’s all in the system correctly!
I ordered and received our Disney Visa Rewards Redemption card. We also decided to get an Owner’s Locker, so I have made arrangements for that. I’ll be sending a package ahead with some of the stuff we want to put in our Owner’s Locker, so I need to get that packed up and shipped.
I’m waiting on a return call from Epcot Food & Beverage about ordering a custom birthday cake for Peter (I left a voice mail on Friday).
And I need to start thinking about packing. Ugh, my least favorite part of vacation!
The kids get out of school on the 16th. Unfortunately, my office Christmas party is that night and we have another work-related party the next night where we really need to make an appearance. What are the chances that the only 2 holiday parties we’re attending this year are on consecutive nights, right before we leave on vacation? I’m going to be in full-on Disney vacation mode by then. I hope I can make it through the parties without losing my mind thinking about all the packing I need to be doing or boring everyone to death talking about Disney!
Thanks to everyone for reading along! I look forward to sharing my TR when we return home!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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). He thought Morrocco sounded good, so I called back and got a CP dinner package at Restaurant Marrakesh for him and my ILs at 5:40 p.m. We’ll all see the 8:15 CP showing with Susan Lucci that night.
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, but they claim to have enjoyed the emails. 
and arranged for DME, which was a feat all on its own. We are arriving on 3 different flights and departing on 4 different flights, plus Robert is arriving 2 days later than everyone else. I spent 30 minutes on the phone with Member Services. I hope it’s all in the system correctly! 
about ordering a custom birthday cake for Peter (I left a voice mail on Friday). 
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